In this edition of “Good and Safe Work News”, we bring you the latest updates on key topics and upcoming events from the TU GUT Department of Occupational Health and Safety (ASI).
News & Highlights
Induction Training
Please ensure that your staff have received appropriate induction training for the tasks assigned to them and have been informed of any potential safety hazards.
To assist you, we have created an expandable, legally compliant template for workplace-specific induction training (including office workstations). This document can be used as a basis and adapted to the relevant specific requirements. If you have any queries or specific questions, please feel free to contact us at asi@gut.tuwien.ac.at.
Lighting in Offices
At office workstations, the illuminance – measured at desk height – must be at least:
300 lux (e.g. for filing, photocopying) and
500 lux (e.g. for writing, reading, data processing).
Sufficient general lighting with as little contrast as possible must be ensured, and natural light must be taken into account accordingly.
In the event of special requirements, an assessment by the TU ergonomist h.welkens@ibg.at or the TU health and safety officer asi@gut.tuwien.ac.at is required.
Specific tasks (e.g. technical drawing or freehand drawing; recommended: approx. 750 lux): In this case, a task description is required. Please send your description to Ms Evic-Petrik, Head of Occupational Safety, at evic-petrik@gut.tuwien.ac.at.
New workwear
From now on, TU Wien will be providing higher-quality laboratory clothing. The new clothing is currently being delivered, and some of it has already been issued to staff.
As soon as you have received the new laboratory clothing (coats and trousers), please ensure you return your old clothing for washing.
Unreturned rented clothing incurs additional costs for TU Wien. These costs will be passed on to the corresponding department.
Computer glasses at the TU Wien
If computer glasses are required, the following procedure must be followed:
The TU Wien employee must undergo an eye examination. If a need is identified, the prescription must explicitly state “Bildschirmarbeitsbrille”. After receiving this prescription, the employee must attend a personal appointment at the Department of Occupational Health and Safety (Fachbereich Arbeitnehmer_innenschutz und Arbeitsmedizin, room AS EG 09). Please call in advance to book an appointment. Depending on the selected optician (Fielmann branches or Die SichtBar, 1040 Vienna), a certificate of use will be issued for the purpose of cost reimbursement. An appointment is then arranged with the selected optician, presenting both the prescription and the certificate of use. Once the glasses are ready, the optician will inform the employee directly about when they can be collected. The invoice is sent directly to the Occupational Health and Safety and Occupational Medicine Department (Fachbereich Arbeitnehmer_innenschutz und Arbeitsmedizin).
Important note: Computer glasses are intended exclusively for use at a computer workstation and are under no circumstances to be used as everyday glasses.
Prescription safety glasses
For people wearing glasses in laboratories and workshops, there are five models of prescription safety glasses available from “Die SichtBar”.
The procedure is as follows: you will need a doctor’s prescription that explicitly states “optische Korrekturschutzbrille” (prescription safety glasses). With this prescription, you can obtain a certificate of use from Ms Eva-Maria Kobieda (eva-maria.kobieda@tuwien.ac.at). You can then book an appointment at “Die SichtBar”. The invoice will be sent automatically to TU GUT.
Laser safety goggles
Laser safety goggles and laser alignment goggles (as personal protective equipment) must be thoroughly and verifiably inspected once a year. The institute’s in-house laser safety experts and the safety officers from the ASI department (if further assistance is required, please contact asi@gut.tuwien.ac.at) are happy to advise you and assist with carrying out the inspection.
Training sessions, courses and events
Below you will find an overview of upcoming training courses and events at TU Wien:
First Aid Courses 2026
Basics courses (in German) on 9th–10th March, 22nd–23rd July and 14th–15th September
Basics courses (in English) on 17th–18th September
Refresher course (German) on 11th March, 19th June and 16th September
Refresher course (English) on 25th September
Special workshop (First aid for laboratory and workshop accidents; does not count as a refresher course) on 17th June
Fire Safety Officer Training Course (BSW Training)
The next course will take place in autumn 2026.
Safety Officer Training (SVP Training)
The scheduled dates are 25th March and 28th September 2026
Note: If a TU organisational unit does not have a safety officer, their duties are assumed by the head of the relevant organisational unit.
Hydrofluoric acid training courses
E-learning courses are available all year round (the online courses are made available for specific periods)
The in-person training session will take place on 25 March 2026 in room AD EG 19 (registration via the internal continuing education catalogue in TISS)
Action Days:
Noise: 5th March 2026, 10.00–12.00, Boecklsaal, AA 01 62
Heat: 4th May 2026, 10.00–12.00, Boecklsaal, AA 01 62
SVP/BSW Information Days:
21st April 2026, 10.00–12.00, Boecklsaal, AA 01 62
23rd September 2026, 10.00–12.00, Lecture hall O221, OA 01 29
The team: GUT E080-02 Occupational Health and Safety and Occupational Medicine asi@gut.tuwien.ac.at.
Mag. rer. nat. Anna Evic-Petrik, Health and Safety Officer,
Head of the Occupational Health and Safety and Occupational Medicine Department